Am I eligible for an Absolute Pardon? 

That depends on how much time has passed since the conviction date for the Connecticut offense(s) you are asking to be pardoned. For an Absolute Pardon, you are eligible to apply five (5) years from the date of conviction for a felony and/or three (3) years from the date of conviction for a misdemeanor. Additionally, you cannot have any pending charges or other open cases in any jurisdiction (state or federal,) a nolle within the previous thirteen (13) months of your application and you cannot be on probation or parole.

What about cases or charges that were ‘nolled’?

If you have a case that was “nolled,” you are not eligible to apply for any type of pardon until the nolle has cleared. A nolle remains for a period of thirteen (13) months after the date of disposition by the court.

What is an Expedited Pardon?

If you are convicted of a non-violent offense(s) where there is no victim interest, you may be considered for an Expedited Review. Following receipt of your application, staff will review to determine if you will be scheduled for an Expedited Review without a hearing or a standard pre-screen review. If you qualify for an Expedited Review, you may be granted an Absolute Pardon without being required to be present. At an Expedited Review, the Board may choose to grant an Absolute Pardon, deny your application for a pardon or continue your application to a full panel hearing. There is no separate application process.

Do I need an attorney or other legal representation to apply for a pardon? Does having

such representation improve my chances of getting a pardon?

You do not need a lawyer or any other representation to apply for a pardon. Having a lawyer will not accelerate the review of your application nor will the application be treated differently. All pardons applications, regardless of whether an applicant has an attorney, are processed in the same manner.

Is there a deadline date to apply?

No, there is no deadline. However, you will have six (6) months to complete your application once you begin the online process. Pardons applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis continuously throughout the year.

Do I need to get all the police incident reports if I have multiple offenses that resulted in convictions?

Yes. A police incident report must be submitted for each Connecticut offense that resulted in a conviction, if the arrest occurred within the last ten (10) years. The police incident report is not the same document as the State Police criminal history report.

What happens to my record if I am granted a pardon?

If granted an Absolute Pardon, your Connecticut adult criminal convictions will be erased.

What happens if I have pending charges?

If you have pending criminal charges in any jurisdiction, you are not eligible to apply for a pardon. Once your charges are disposed of and you meet the remainder of the eligibility criteria, you may apply.

If I am denied a pardon, do I have to wait an entire year from the hearing date to re-apply for a pardon?

Yes. Generally, you must wait one (1) year from the date of denial before you can reapply. The Board may, at its discretion, specify a longer waiting period. If you are denied, you will receive electronic correspondence you of the reasons for denial and a date when you can reapply.

If I am granted a pardon, will my application be destroyed?

Your application will remain on file with the Pardons Board. If you are granted an Absolute Pardon, the offense(s) will be expunged (erased) from the criminal record database.